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MANILA - Prices of construction materials remain stable even as demand is expected to rise once flood-damaged houses and establishments undergo repairs, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.
“As of last week, cement prices were down by P5. Other construction materials are stable,” Victorio Mario Dimagiba, DTI-Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection director, told InterAksyon.com on Monday.
“We are still in relief and cleaning operations in areas under state of calamity. The DTI will have to monitor prices when repairs start,” Dimagiba said.
Various parts of Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Manila, Palawan, Pampanga, Rizal and Zambales had been placed under a state of calamity because of the heavy monsoon rains that caused widespread flooding two weeks ago.
A price freeze on basic goods is automatically implemented in areas under a state of calamity. But construction materials—cement, clinker, construction nails, galvanized iron sheets, hollow blocks, nipa shingles, plywood, plyboard and sawali as well as electrical supplies—are classified as prime commodities, hence not covered by the price control.
Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya told InterAksyon.com also on Monday that the supply of basic goods, including bottled water, in groceries and supermarkets remain adequate.
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